Oliver'POV

"July 12, 1863

Dear Cousin,

I'm know this letter has reached you in ill health.  I'm told you will recover and be sent home, but I must warn you before you return how things are not holding up well at home.

I heard you fought a brave battle at Gettysburg, but I'm afraid your war is not over.

On July 8th the rebel Army tried to devert the Unions attention away from the east.  General John Hunt Morgan planned a raid into Indiana with the intention of taking Camp Morton.  General Morgan crossed on July 8th, but his own brother, with the assistance of your friend Claudine, stormed your home the day before. 

Naomi was in no shape due to the impending birth of your child to escape with our Uncles, Mae, and the children.  They attacked us in the early morning hours.  Bub met them with resistance and was hung along with our dear Mimi.  Patrick and Mae left in the tunnels, and I was caught off guard.  I failed our dear Naomi. 

Patrick returned and managed to kill one rebel soldier, but Naomi was threatened, and he had to surrender.

Our dear Naomi was beaten and raped right in front of my eyes for nearly a full day, while I was tied and forced to watch the evil before my eyes.

A young brave rebel assisted Patrick to escape, and as they left, was ordered to shoot Naomi and I dead, but instead, he untied us after shooting two holes into the ceiling of your chambers. 

Naomi delivered your stillborn daughter hours later.  Naomi bled uncontrollably, but thanks to the Lord above survived. 

She held your daughter for a full day before finally allowing us to bury her along side our dear loved ones, Bub and Mimi.  She named your daughter Rose after our grandmother as you requested. 

Ollie and Elizabeth both escaped unharmed thanks to our loyal  Patrick and Mae.  Our uncles got word into town, but there weren't enough union forces to help. Many properties have been destroyed, women have been raped, and men killed.  Your barn had been burned, and the horses were all stolen. 

We are working on rebuilding, but it will not be easy as many of our neighbors have suffered the same fate.

Naomi is not well. Her physical wounds are healing, but she is emotionally damaged, and I fear she will die of a broken heart.  There is no peaceful sleep, just screams through her nightmares. 

Mae is doing what she can to help, and Patrick sent for Mrs. Chapman and Naomi's other sisters. 

Patrick and Mae were quickly wed when Mae admitted to her own pregnancy.  Not a word has been relayed to Naomi.  She isn't even aware of your injuries from battle. 

I do have a request.  If you are unable to return as the honorable man she fell in love with, please do not come home.  She needs the man she loves, and not the shell of a man that last visited.  She is broken, and I'm afraid the only one that can fix her is the man that married her. 

She was fully raped by five different rebels before giving birth to her dead child.  I've never seen such a fragile human being than Naomi at this time. 

Please do come if you can be the man she needs. Just before the raid, I received word that I have been drafted.  I did not yet tell Naomi.  She is still unaware of my impending departure. I will unfortunately have to leave before your return.  I'll be joining the 7th in one week, and will report to Indianapolis just as you are returning. 

I will leave all details of the business in Patricks care.  Also, you have my deepest  condolences on the loss of your father at Gettysburg.  I understand you fought by his side.  My Uncle was a great man, and I'll always hold his memory near and dear to my heart. 

With deepest regrets,

Your cousin,
Armstrong H.P. Westlake Esq.

The sickness that came over me after I read the letter from Armstrong was much worse than any injury I experienced at war.  I want to kill John Hunt Morgan.  A broken leg and arm is not enough to stop me.

I remember laying on that battlefield preparing myself for amputation.  I was unaware that a compound fracture was as treatable.  I saw my own bone and thought it was over.  Naomi was on my mind the entire time.  Regrets and heartbreak was all I felt, and never imagined she was in more pain than I was myself. 

My daughter is dead and it kills me, but I didn't know her, while Naomi felt her every move, every kick, and knew that heartbeat was inside her. 

She was raped repeatedly and my stomach turns. Now she will be forced to say goodbye to the man that took my place during my absence. A man that has spent more time with her, and probably loves her as much as me.  Her stability will be pulled from under her, and she will suffer even more heartbreak. 

When I crawled off that battlefield, my only strength came from my wife and children.  I needed to see my baby alive and laying in her arms as she smiled with pride.  My sweet bride is nearly ruined, and I must return to her as quickly as possible.

That is as long as I'm truly discharged and sent home.  Many soldiers are being sent back out to the battlefield.  I just pray I've paid my dues and it's possible to go home.

The doctors say I'll never regain the use of my arm or leg the way I was able to use them before, so I will be a changed man when I return. 

I am the only one that can save my beautiful bride, and I'll be damned if I let this Army keep me from doing so as soon as I can walk again.